Water-borne craft



May 28, 1963 A. wozNlAK WATER-BORNE CRAFT Filed Sept. 6, 1960 nvenlor l Mam@ T/ n mw I.. AN

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WATER-BORNE CRAFT Filed, Sept. 6. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor /C/G /5- F/G" /7. AIWLBMA'K May 28, 1963 A. wozNlAK WATER-BORNE CRAFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 6. 1960 United States Patent Utilice 3,090,974 Patented May 28, 1963 3,090,974 WATER-BGRNE CRAFT Aleksander Wozniak, 174 Becontree Ave., Dagenham, England Filed Sept. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 54,261 Ciairns priority, application Great Britain Sept. 9, 1959 6 Claims. (Cl. 9-1) The present invention relates to water-borne craft for personal use and suitable particularly' for diversion, amusement and/ or exercise and it has for its object to provide a group or assembly of articles which may be used in various ways; for example component parts thereof may be used separately for different purposes.

In its broadest aspect the invention includes a group of parts consisting of a pair of buoyant members adapted to be associated with the feet of the user in the manner of water skis and a vessel in the nature of a canoe.

In the preferred arrangement these parts are flexibly and detachably interconnected and in the assembled condition they may be handled or occupied by one or two persons. The canoe-like craft or vessel is dispose-d lbetween the two skis. This vessel may however be separated from the skis for independent use.

The vessel may be provided with means to accommodate a mast which may carry a sail and/ or it may have a propeller driven either by man-power or by an inboard or outboard motor.

The features of the invention are shown by way of example on the accompanying drawing as applied to several embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general view of the parts assembled,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative -arrangement,

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 showing the arrangement of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sketch a propeller,

FIGS. 5 to positions,

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side and plan views of a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. is Va detail view in perspective showing the interconnection of the component parts,

FIGS. l1 and 12 are views showing alternative forms of ski-stick,

FIGS. 13 and 14 are side elevation and plan views of a legging fitting,

FIG. shows an alternative method of connection of certain of the component parts,

FIG. 16 is a section on the line A--A of FIG. 9, and

FIG. 17 shows in diagrammatic form another set of component parts assembled to form a canoe-like craft.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 the complete set of main parts are shown in coupled assembly and comprise a centrally positioned water-borne vessel S, which may be `of similar shape and size to a canoe. It may comprise a rigid frame in the normal manner in this art with a exible skin or covering, or with a relatively stiff covering. When a flexible skin is used the frame itself may be demountable in accordance with well known practice. The other main parts 9 are long and narrow and are suited for attachment to the users feet, and thus may be regarded Vas water skis, and will be so referred to hereinafter. They showing one form of drive for 7 show a ski-stick in various functional .cables 21 and driven in opposite directions thereby.

may be of similar construction to the vessel 8, are located on each side of the vessel 8 and are provided with foot holes 1G. Each of the water ski components 9 is comparatively long and narrow somewhat as indicated in the drawing to provide a design and on a scale suitable for supporting a user by his two feet `directly on the water surface, thus providing equipment which in the colloquial sense may be regarded as appropriate for walking on water.

The Vessel 8 and the water skis 9 are flexibly connected at one end and are detachable when required; as shown two plies of flexible material 11'are folded in U-form around the prow of the vessel S and are xedly connected one to the -other along a vertical fold and to the vessel at the prow tip. The prow-s of the skis 9 it between the plies 11 on each side and are connected to the plies on each side by means of a pivot pin 12. This arrangement permits movement in all directions so that the complete assembly shown on FlG. l adjusts itself to the wave formation on the water surface and gives stability to the parts when used in this form. Y

In this case rudders 13 may be fitted to the -rear parts of the skis and are linked by cables 14 to a suitable steering control, not shown, on the vessel 8. These rudders may be removed when the skis 9 detached from the vessel S.

The skis themselves may be formed in any convenient manner and they may comprise a ilexible skin held or stretched over rigid frames, the frames themselves being detachable so that the skis can be folded into small cornpass. The foot holes 10 may be formed in separate'unit assemblies. Insome cases adjustment of the foothole assembliesgl to secure correct balance, is desirable since a different position may be required according to whether the skis are utilised on their own or are linked with the vessel 3. y

When connected with the vessel a control system is utilised consistinggof a cable or rope 15 detachably fixed at one end to a hook orthe like 16 at the front of each ski, the cableor rope passing through a guide loop 16 adapted to be mounted at dierent positions in any of a series of apertures 19 in the skis 9. The other end of the cable or rope is detachably fixed at 17 to the side of the vessel 8. The cable 15 may include a tension spring 18 and it will be seen that the function of these parts Yis to tend to draw the skis 9 towards the vessel while permitting spring controlled outward pivotal vmovement when required. I

The vessel may be provided towards the front with a socket 2t) adapted to accommodate a detachable mast suitable for carrying a small sail and if desired said socket 26 may serve as a guide for a driving cable 21 looped around the mast and extending rearwardly and then'downwardly over guide pulleys 22 for operating a driving unit shown in FIG. 4 for a propeller 23.

This unit may be housed within a depending iin Z4 which may be removable from the vessel when required, said unit housing a propeller drive unit. The propeller 23 may for example be'driven by a flexible shaft 25 part of which extends vertically and is linked to a`rotatable vertical spindle 26 carrying a dr'ving cross pin 27 and rotatably mounted driving ratchets 2S, Z9 traversed by the lf desired the cable 21 may be of endless form the direction being reversed by an idler pulley 30 so that for one direction of movement of the cable 21 one ratchet 28 drives the pin 27 in one direction while the other ratchet 29 rotates in the other direction.

lTeeth on the ratchet elements are adapted to engage the driving pin 27 and, for example as shown in FIG. 4, when the cable 21 is moved upwardly the ratchet 2S engages the driving pin 27 and drives the spindle 26 in the anticlockwise direction as seen from above. When the direction of travel of the rope is reversed the other ratchet 29 comes into operation and drives the pin 27 so as to continue the rotation of the spindle 26 in the same direction. Springs 3l serve to maintain the ratchets 28, 29 in engagement with the driving pin 27 so that one of them is always operative while the other may free-wheel.

A projecting stub 33 on the spindle 26is adapted for connection to a driving motor should this be required,

said motor being for example mounted on the rear ledge 34 of the vessel. Alternatively the whole unit 24 can be removed and a normal type of outboard motor unit fitted in place thereof. a In the arrangement shown manual operating handles 3oV are provded which maybe connected tol short lengths of cable 36 which are spliced at suitable points to the cables 21. An occupant of the vessel 8 may now actuate the handles 35 to propel the vessel by man power. When the vessel 8 is used on its own a suitable rudder attachment can be fitted for steering purposes or the whole unit 24 may be rotatable about an approximately vertical axis for steering purposes. Y It will however be understood that the drive unit 24 may be removed when it is desired to use the vessel as a canoe and of course it may also be used with a paddleV or as a punt and in some cases a single paddle or oar may be used from the rear with a reciprocating movement.

f course when the vessel 8 is fitted with a driving propeller 23, whether operated by man power or by a motor or when a separate outboard motor is used, this vessel may be employedas a tug or tractor in front of a user car` ried by the water skis 9, a trailing cable or rope being held by the persons using the skis and in some cases it is possible to provide a remote control for the motor operated by the person on theskis so that the vessel itself need not be occupied. `The equipment shown may be utilised in a variety of ways for amusement and diversion. When the components 9 are utilised in the manner of skis it is convenient to make use of a propeller device in the nature of a ski-stick, examples of which are shown on FIGS. to 7. These devices. comprise an elongated body part of shaft 36 which'may have a wrist loop 37 and a handle portion 38'at one end Vand at the other endl an inflatable body 39 which may adopt the various configurations shown inV FIGS. 5 to 7 Vto provide various operating characteristics. A sleeve,40,is slidable upon the shaft 36 and is adaptedto be frictionally held by a tapered joint. By setting the sleeve 40 to the position shown in FIG. 5 the body 39 is approximately spherical and may be inflated through a suitable connection -41 at the free end of the shaft36. By-moving the collar 40y towards ythe free end of the 'shaft thefbody 39 is distorted to a shape providing a greater cross-sectional area as seen `along the axis of the shaft (see FIG. 6) while by moving the collar V40 inthe opposite direction the rather more flattened form .shown in'FIG. 7

maybe obtained. Inflation canY be performed by they mouth'or by means of a suitable pump and in the latter case the end' of the shaft 36 may be provided with a screwed connection and a suitable non-return valve to per- YVmit inflation, or' alternatively Athe air may -be retained in Ythe body 39 by means of a detachable plug adapted to be inserted into the bore on completion of inflation, the plug being frictionally held in position although it may be positively held by a screw joint or other suitable means.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in outline form possible alternative arrangements of the component parts. In FIG. 2

drawings.

the vessel 8 is of approximately parallel-sided form while in the case of FIG. 3 the-.vessel 8 is of tapered form in a manner corresponding to that shown on FIG. l. In both cases the ski-components 9 are shown pressing firmly against the sides of the vessel S although it will be understood that they are adapted to be swung outwardly under the control of the cables 15 and springs 18 within certain limits; while, as already stated, the component parts may be detached and utilised separately. It will be realised that `the three components together are comparatively light and can be readily transported, for example on an automobile, and the group of components provide a wide range of diversions, amusements or games for the user and his friends and also for sporting events.

FIGS. 8 to l0 illustrate a group of component parts representing a second embodiment of the invention. In this case again the three main components Aare shown in the assembled position although it is to be understood that they can be used separately if desired. In this case again a centrally positioned canoe-like craft 8 is iianked on each side by ski-like components Y9' which are rather longer than the vessel 8 and are provided with foot-holes 10. The prow ofthe vessel 3 is of the form indicated in greater detail in FIG. 10 and comprises rearwardly facing pocket-like members 4S of liexible material adapted to accommodate the prow tips of the ski components 9', these pocket-like elements being rigidly or pivotally fixed to the prow of the components 9 by means of a suitable fixing bolt or bolts 46.

The vessel 8 is provided ateach side towards the rear with a vertically positioned guide 47 with a vertical arcuately curved slot l48, these guides facing the sides of the ski components 9. A preferably detachable connector pin or screw bolt Sil is adapted to traverse the slot 48 and is engaged by a suitable housing in the ski componen-ts 9, this structure permitting each component 9 to swing up or down by virtue of the flexibility of the pocket material 45, approximately about an axis represented by the fastening means y46. Control of this Vswinging movement is obtained by the provision of a pulley 51 freely rotatable on the connector pin 50 and serving-to support a cable 52 one end of which is anchored at 53 to the vessel S adjacent the bottom of the guide 47 while the other end extends horizontally as shown on FIG. 9 and is linked to a spring 54 the far end of which is connected to the rear end of Vthe ski component 9 as shown at 55. It will be seen that the spring 54 is extended further as each ski componentY rises Y `of the water surface, but it provides a measure of control limiting unnecessary swinging movement.

The connector pins 50 are so arranged that outwardly swinging movement of the ski components -9 about a vertical axis is prevented so that these components are held relatively to the vessel 8 in the position shown on the Nevertheless however the assembly of component parts is-readily detachable when r taching Vthe connector pins 50 whereupon the ski components 9 are freed and can be removed from the pocket 4S after'disconnecting the cables 52 and the springs 54, thus permitting the ski components 9 to be used on their own. The vessel 8 may be arranged with amanual or power drive as already described with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

If desired a seating member 56 may be provided which is fixedly mounted on across bar 57 which can be accomrnodated` in an out-of-the-way position'lying along one side of one 'ski componen-t 9 as shown in fullY lines or can be moved from said position and fixed transversely across the two ski components where the ends ofthe barl 57 are As stated foot-holes 10 are provided so that each foot Y equired by deof the user can be accommodated in one of these holes as best shown in rather diagrammatic form in FIG. 8, the foot being shown at 60. The foot-hole is provided near the base of the ski with a tread plate 61 on which the foot of the user rests and is provided with suitable guide means for accommodating and locating the foot.

It is obviously important to provide means for preventing water entering the foot-hole since apart from discomfort, there would be danger of the buoyancy being adversely aifected. The foot-hole is accordingly of the shape shown in FIGS. 9 and 14 in plan, having a comparatively small but somewhat elongated entry zone 101 of somewhat smaller dimensions than the tread plate 61, the foot lbeing placed in position toes down so that the entry hole 101 need not be very much larger than the lower part of the legs. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 a flexible gaiter 63 is preferably provided bordering the entry aperture 1611, the gaiter being of somewhat elongated form at the base corresponding to the top of the entry hole 161, While at the top it is approximately circular and embodies a fastening device at the upper rim adapted to grip on to the users leg as best indicated on FIG. 8. The detachable fastening means at the upper rim may comprise a draw string 65 in and extending from a hem and having a ring 66 adapted to be engaged with a projecting hook 67 to form a quick release fastening.

When the ski components 9 are not in use in the manner indicated the gaiters 63 may be removed and replaced by a simple cover over the foot holes 10" to prevent unwanted ingress of water.

The preferred shape in cross-section of the ski components 9 is that indicated in FIG. 16, having substantially vertical and parallel-sided walls 91, a substantially horizontal upper surface 92 and outer side surfaces 93 which are downwardly tapering and approximately of the shape normally adopted for water-borne craft in marine practice.

FIGS. 11 and l2 show alternative forms of ski stick which may be adopted either to assist propulsion or for playing sports or similar diversions. In Ithe case of FIG. 1l a circular and comparatively thick disc 71 which may be formed essentially of a foam plastic of the grade commonly referred to as buoyancy plastic, is anked on each side by truncated coned members 72 of similar material held in preferably clamped condition by fastening ferrules 73 and/or by pointed tip members 74 on the shaft 36, which may carry a suitable handle 38 at one end together with the usual wrist strip 37. The three components 71 and 72 may be formed of separate pieces of plastic or may be formed in one piece and the disc member 71 may be convex on one face and concave on the other face as indicated in chain dot lines. The components 71 and 72 may be enclosed by an impervious skin of suitable sheet plastic which may also be designed to give an appropriate degree of stiffness to these parts. In some cases the disc member 7'1 and the parts 72 may each be independently covered with an impervious sheet of moulded plastic or each component can be so coated where they are formed in separate parts or the assembly of the parts 7'1 and 72 may be enclosed between two separate and appropriately shaped coverings joined equatorially about the periphery of the member 71. Whatever arrangement is adopted the result is the provision of a light and easily manipulated stick which may be effectively employed by the user to give a propulsion effect over the surface of the water.

In the alternative form of stick shown in FIG. 12 a shaft portion 36 includes a hand grip 3S at one end and at the other end there is a separate inflatable unit comprising a preferably inherently spherical shell-like inflatable member 75 with a diametral tube 76 moulded integrally therein or attached thereto by welding techniques as commonly employed in the plastic handling industry. This tubular member 76 extends to the outside and is 6 fixed on the shaft by means of a clamp by adjustment on the shaft 36, permits the spherical portion to adopt various configurations in the manner indicated on FIGS. 5 to 7 of the drawings.

An inator connection 78 may be provided at any suitable point, for example on the peripheral Wall as indicated on FIG. 12. If desired a suitable and preferably adjustable mass 79 may be provided on the shaft 36 for regulating the balance and feel of the stick when held by the user. It will of course be understood that the hand grip 38 in FIG. 12 may be replaced by an identical assembly to that shown at the lower end on the drawing, giving a double ended member with a spherical or near-spherical attachment at each end which may be used in the manner of a paddle or may be used for various games involving several players supported on skis 9 on the water surface as already described.

In some cases it may be required to provide for some form of connection between the two ski components 9, but without using the vessel 8 and for this purpose as shown in FIG. l5, each component 9 may be provided with projecting arms 81 supporting vertically positioned plates 82 which, when the two ski components 9 are arranged side-by-side at a suitable distance from one another, lie in facial contact one with the other and can be connected by suitable fastening means which either hold the rtwo plates in facial contact but permit relative movement, or lixedly connect the two plates S2 one to the other giving in the latter case a simple type of catamaran craft for personal use, the two catamaran hulls being occupied by the two feet of the user.

FIG. 17 indicates in outline form an alternative arrangement of the three main components and g, as shown for example on FIG. 1 or on FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings. In this case the water-borne canoe 8 and the ski components 9 are so designed and proportioned that when placed side-by-side in the manner indicated the overall configuration is that of a conventional type of water craft which is of relatively eicient hydrostatic form and can be propelled with minimum exertion. In this case the component parts may be firmly fastened if required by means of suitable fastening means indicated in conventional form a-t 85, while of course the components can be detached and used separately if desired.

In all the embodiments described the complete craft is comparatively compact and by adopting modern production techniques can be made comparatively light and transportable while the component parts can be disassembled when required and in some circumstances could be used by two people.

What I claim is:

1. A water-borne craft comprising a pair of elongated buoyant components having intermediately positioned foot-holes adapted to be accommodated upon the -two feet of the user to form a pair of ski components, a separate water craft unit forming a third component adapted to be positioned between said pair of components with the prows of the three components approximately coincident, and means at the prows of said three components connecting them coincidently for limited relative movement.

2. A waterborne craft according to claim 1 comprising flexible pocket-like members disposed at the forward end of the water craft unit, said pocket-like members serving to accommodate the forward ends of the ski components and pivotal connector means connecting said pocket-like components to said ski components.

3. A water-borne craft according to claim 1 including a cable connecting a ski component to the water craft unit lto regulate free movement between them, and guide means for said cable on the ski component, said means being adjustably positioned on said component.

4. A water-borne craft according to claim l compris* ing a prow unit fixed to the front of the water craft unit,

adapted to be ring 77, which said prow unit including rearwardly` directed pockets-of exiblevmaterial adapted'` to receive the leading ends of the ski components and means interconnecting said ski components and said Water craft unit in a manner to prevent disengagement of the ski components from said pockets.

5., A Water-borne craft according to claim 4 wherein said means interconnecting said ski components are adapted for dxedly connecting the said parts.

6. A water-borne craft according lto claim 4 comprising a guide member on the water craft unit having a substantially vertical slot therein, a yguide pin traversing Said slot, said guide pin being Xed to one of said ski components to permit vertical movement of said ski cornponent to a limited extent relatively to the Water craft unit While preventing splaying movement between said parts, a pulley mounted on said guide pin, a cable traversing said pulley and connected at one end to said Water connecting said spring tothe trailing end of said ski component to regulate the free movement between the ski components and the craf-t unit.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,141,799 Pyle Dec. 27, 1938 2,158,349 Allen May 16, 1939 2,248,307 Richards Iuly 8, 1941 2,787,795 Snodgrass Apr. 9, 1957 2,893,021 Lundborg July 7, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 822,466 France Sept. 20, 1937 711,844 Great Britain July 14, 1954 751,614 Great Britain July 4, 1956 

1. A WATER-BORNE CRAFT COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELONGATED BUOYANT COMPONENTS HAVING INTERMEDIATELY POSITIONED FOOT-HOLES ADAPTED TO BE ACCOMMODATED UPON THE TWO FEET OF THE USER TO FORM A PAIR OF SKI COMPONENTS SEPARATE WATER CRAFT UNIT FORMING A THIRD COMPONENT ADPTED TO BE POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF COMPONENTS WITH THE PROWS OF THE THERE COMPONENTS APPROXIMATELY COINCIDENT, AND MEANS AT THE PROWS OF SAID THREE COMPONENTS CONNECTING THEM COINCIDENTLY FOR LIMITED RELATIVE MOVEMENT. 